I made very good progress on my to do list the last couple of days. There is now the right "color" of light bulb in the socket, the electrical plates that I wanted to keep have been removed and replaced (those darn things aren't cheap !) I discovered I had only one screwdriver and it was too big for the tiny screws. Where on earth did they go? I got some information together for a couple of friends and did some emails to let people know about the move. The HVAC got checked out by the company that services it. All is good.
My favorite handyman came by and got some boxes out of the attic, cleaned everything out. I have this humongous suitcase I had forgotten about, the mirror from my dresser, some more Christmas stuff. The faulty smoke detector has been replaced. He also, took the rest of the stuff off the walls and patched and painted the remainder of those. Why do we hang so much stuff on the walls? The stuff that wasn't too big is now packed.
I went to get more boxes at the liquor store. He said to come back on Tuesday or Wednesday but not this week.
I had an appointment with the pain doctor. My prescription had no refills. Also, got an injection in my hand. It was killing me. Also got a lecture about not overdoing it. Right, like that is going to happen in the middle of a move.
The good news is I will be taking a short vacation right in the middle of all this so will have a nice rest. I have never been to Costa Rica before and am looking forward to a bit of adventure.
I was reading our local community paper yesterday and there was an ad from a lady wanting to meet some musicians to do chamber music. (now someone shows up that wants to do that, just when I am leaving). I called her and suggested she might enjoy our little band since we do all kinds of stuff. She is interested and is going to come to our next practice. If it works out well I will feel a lot better about leaving them without a fiddle player.
I drove over to see Cowboy today. It was pretty nice out and we went out and walked around for quite a while. He was telling me about this little bird that he sees sometimes. He loves birds but couldn't tell me what kind it was. Apparently it had intrigued him.
There were some visitors there with two little "imperial shitzus" I was not familiar with the breed but they were only about 4 or 5 pounds and really cute. Cowboy wanted to hold one and they were nice enough to let him do that. Then, for the first time in months and months, he asked about our dog.
We had lunch and watched some TV and then I headed home.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Wednesday, February 19
Not a day goes by that some issue with one of the houses has to be addressed. I had forgotten how crazy it can all be, but things are moving along.
Yesterday I slept in, fixed a good breakfast, read the whole paper, took a long walk and just generally rested. It felt good.
I have a lovely friend that I saw Monday (you know who you are) who seems to think I need to slow down and rest more. I am sure she is right but I don't think it is in my DNA. Right now my mind is overflowing with things that I feel I need to remember to do. I have a list and it just keeps getting longer.
I went to see Cowboy today. He had his dental appointment and it ended up being for 1 and 1/2 hours. That's a long time to lean back in a portable chair with your mouth open. He did really well considering. They deep cleaned the other half of his mouth and filled the remaining two cavities. Hopefully that will be it for a while. I just am going to have to make sure I get him scheduled again in 6 months for a cleaning.
Our lunch was cold by the time we got back to his unit but he did eat some of it. He was very tired and we went back to his room and he rested. Not much conversation today. When I left I said I will see you and his response was "yeah". Sometimes I leave feeling down. Today was one of those.
It is almost 3 so probably won't get much of anything done today. Am getting a haircut in the AM and then I have several days that I can just dig into the stuff around here at my own pace.
Yesterday I slept in, fixed a good breakfast, read the whole paper, took a long walk and just generally rested. It felt good.
I have a lovely friend that I saw Monday (you know who you are) who seems to think I need to slow down and rest more. I am sure she is right but I don't think it is in my DNA. Right now my mind is overflowing with things that I feel I need to remember to do. I have a list and it just keeps getting longer.
I went to see Cowboy today. He had his dental appointment and it ended up being for 1 and 1/2 hours. That's a long time to lean back in a portable chair with your mouth open. He did really well considering. They deep cleaned the other half of his mouth and filled the remaining two cavities. Hopefully that will be it for a while. I just am going to have to make sure I get him scheduled again in 6 months for a cleaning.
Our lunch was cold by the time we got back to his unit but he did eat some of it. He was very tired and we went back to his room and he rested. Not much conversation today. When I left I said I will see you and his response was "yeah". Sometimes I leave feeling down. Today was one of those.
It is almost 3 so probably won't get much of anything done today. Am getting a haircut in the AM and then I have several days that I can just dig into the stuff around here at my own pace.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday, February 16
I took my Grandson home Friday and stayed overnight and visited with family. Came home yesterday.
We got quite a bit done while he was here but have a long way to go. We carried another load to storage, filled the garage with boxes that are packed, some of them quite heavy. The house is a bit topsy turvy and I suspect it will stay that way from here on out.
I have to replace a smoke detector that keeps doing strange things and am trying to figure out if should replace blinds on the patio doors. It seems to be stripped but works for awhile and then not so much. Realized I need to get everything out of the attic. not much up there but still have to clean it out. I know there is a big mirror up there that goes on my bedroom dresser.
I went to see Cowboy today. He was sitting at the dining table asleep. Looked like he had eaten some of his food and then fallen asleep. I woke him up and encouraged him to finish. He fell asleep a couple more times but did finish.
The nurse said his blood sugar was only 83 this morning and she waited until after lunch and took it again and it was only 106. He also seemed sweaty and lethargic. They didn't give him any insulin and said will check it this evening. He didn't want to go outside although it was pleasant out and fell asleep again after we went back to his room.
Got word this morning that the contract addendum that spells out the work to be done was signed and accepted by the seller. We are looking good at this point.
We got quite a bit done while he was here but have a long way to go. We carried another load to storage, filled the garage with boxes that are packed, some of them quite heavy. The house is a bit topsy turvy and I suspect it will stay that way from here on out.
I have to replace a smoke detector that keeps doing strange things and am trying to figure out if should replace blinds on the patio doors. It seems to be stripped but works for awhile and then not so much. Realized I need to get everything out of the attic. not much up there but still have to clean it out. I know there is a big mirror up there that goes on my bedroom dresser.
I went to see Cowboy today. He was sitting at the dining table asleep. Looked like he had eaten some of his food and then fallen asleep. I woke him up and encouraged him to finish. He fell asleep a couple more times but did finish.
The nurse said his blood sugar was only 83 this morning and she waited until after lunch and took it again and it was only 106. He also seemed sweaty and lethargic. They didn't give him any insulin and said will check it this evening. He didn't want to go outside although it was pleasant out and fell asleep again after we went back to his room.
Got word this morning that the contract addendum that spells out the work to be done was signed and accepted by the seller. We are looking good at this point.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Wednesday, February 12
Left for Dallas Monday AM. Rented a storage locker and unloaded most of my Christmas stuff and some odds and ends. There is still lots of room in it.
Had a little time so drove around the area where the new house is. Can't say I am unhappy that there is a WalMart Supercenter, a Kroger, an Albertsons and a Walmart neighborhood grocery within about 2 miles of the house. Also, a CVS and various restaurants up on I 20 as well as a mall and a Toyota dealer for car service. I was especially excited to find a Braums and a Quik Trip. Both of those things existed when we lived in Oklahoma and I love them both. It's not that I am a shopaholic or anything but everything is so far away where I live now. Nearest grocery is 7 miles, nearest mall (small) is about 12 or so and the big mall and the car dealer are probably 20 miles.
Met the inspector and he found several problems that need to be addressed. The roof has some damage and he recommended we have a roofer look at it, there are some electrical things that either don't work or don't work properly and there may be a broken pipe on the outdoor faucet. I left feeling distressed but later talked with the realtor and he said it was not at all unusual to find things that needed addressing and to stay cool.
The weather was dreadful, wet and cold. Ended up not coming home on Monday because the inspection took til 4:30, had to drive an hour in rush hour traffic to pick up my grandson. We started home but the temperature dropped and I didn't want to drive in ice in the dark. We stopped for the night and came home yesterday after the temperature was above 32. Still was a bit dicey but we did OK.
We stopped to see Cowboy on the way home. He was eating his lunch. He was happy to see us and talked to our grandson more than me. He knew he was a grandson but struggled with his name and who his Mom was. After he thought about it awhile he seemed to figure it out.
Got home about 3 and hit the WalMart for some food that he will actually eat. We had pizza last night but I am making ribs for tonight. (Need to feed the help.)
We have been taking things off the walls and patching the holes, packing up Cowboy's clothes and then took everything off above the kitchen cabinets. Need to work some more on patching, etc and am hoping we get my good china and things packed. Mostly am concentrating on getting the heavy boxes into the car to take to storage and the stuff that is up high and requires a ladder. We are getting there.
Had a little time so drove around the area where the new house is. Can't say I am unhappy that there is a WalMart Supercenter, a Kroger, an Albertsons and a Walmart neighborhood grocery within about 2 miles of the house. Also, a CVS and various restaurants up on I 20 as well as a mall and a Toyota dealer for car service. I was especially excited to find a Braums and a Quik Trip. Both of those things existed when we lived in Oklahoma and I love them both. It's not that I am a shopaholic or anything but everything is so far away where I live now. Nearest grocery is 7 miles, nearest mall (small) is about 12 or so and the big mall and the car dealer are probably 20 miles.
Met the inspector and he found several problems that need to be addressed. The roof has some damage and he recommended we have a roofer look at it, there are some electrical things that either don't work or don't work properly and there may be a broken pipe on the outdoor faucet. I left feeling distressed but later talked with the realtor and he said it was not at all unusual to find things that needed addressing and to stay cool.
The weather was dreadful, wet and cold. Ended up not coming home on Monday because the inspection took til 4:30, had to drive an hour in rush hour traffic to pick up my grandson. We started home but the temperature dropped and I didn't want to drive in ice in the dark. We stopped for the night and came home yesterday after the temperature was above 32. Still was a bit dicey but we did OK.
We stopped to see Cowboy on the way home. He was eating his lunch. He was happy to see us and talked to our grandson more than me. He knew he was a grandson but struggled with his name and who his Mom was. After he thought about it awhile he seemed to figure it out.
Got home about 3 and hit the WalMart for some food that he will actually eat. We had pizza last night but I am making ribs for tonight. (Need to feed the help.)
We have been taking things off the walls and patching the holes, packing up Cowboy's clothes and then took everything off above the kitchen cabinets. Need to work some more on patching, etc and am hoping we get my good china and things packed. Mostly am concentrating on getting the heavy boxes into the car to take to storage and the stuff that is up high and requires a ladder. We are getting there.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Sunday, February 9
Not much to report. Spent yesterday packing up my books. That is a big task. I just can't seem to turn loose of very many of them. Anyway, they are now in eight boxes and ready to go.
Today I enjoyed the Sunday paper, fixed french toast and savored that, took a long walk and spent a little bit of time looking through some things in the study. Didn't make a whole lot of progress but have a good idea in my head of what I need to do. I then fixed some sea bass for dinner and it was great.
Tomorrow morning I get up and go to Dallas for the inspection on the house. Will also put some things in storage up there. My grandson will be coming back with me to help with some of the chores that are beyond my abilities.
Will post again later in the week. So far everything is going well.
Today I enjoyed the Sunday paper, fixed french toast and savored that, took a long walk and spent a little bit of time looking through some things in the study. Didn't make a whole lot of progress but have a good idea in my head of what I need to do. I then fixed some sea bass for dinner and it was great.
Tomorrow morning I get up and go to Dallas for the inspection on the house. Will also put some things in storage up there. My grandson will be coming back with me to help with some of the chores that are beyond my abilities.
Will post again later in the week. So far everything is going well.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Thursday, February 5
I have been on quite a whirlwind this week.
Monday afternoon I got a call from a friend who knew I was going to move through this blog. She had a friend looking for a house so she suggested he call me. He came over late Monday, looked at the house and made me an offer.
I had made an appointment with the real estate agent for Tuesday morning but didn't need to keep that appointment. Just sold him the house.
That same day got a counter offer on the house in Arlington. It was not going to work for us so we countered back. This went on through yesterday when we finally reached a deal. So in four days I sold a house and bought a house. Needless to say I have been "chasing my tail". Paperwork, phone calls, etc. It was made a lot worse because my scanner doesn't work and email was up and down on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was able to take documents to the bank and get them sent and went to the title company and got the help I needed on the sale of this house. It is pretty simple because he is paying cash.
Anyway, how cool is that?? I never would have believed it if anyone had told me that is the way it would happen. One of the good things is I was able to negotiate a date for moving that will give me several days after the closing on the house and will allow me to still take my trip. So I can take until the 10th of April to move. That takes some of the pressure off.
I have to go to Dallas on Monday for the inspection on the property. Hopefully it will turn out good. Hate to think about having to start over on that end.
Cowboy had dental work on Tuesday so I went over to be there at 8:30. He had a deep cleaning on one side of his mouth and a filling. On the 19th they will deep clean the other side and fill the other two teeth. He did pretty well but he bled a lot. Afterwards we went back to his room and he was rather worn out and started napping. Said he felt OK but I stayed for a couple of hours to be sure he wasn't bleeding or uncomfortable.
I told Cowboy about the move again and he said he is OK with it. I am not sure if he gets it but so be it.
I am planning to go see Cowboy tomorrow but the weather forecast is for it to be below freezing and maybe some sleet and snow. Will have to play it by ear. Will either not go or go later if it is bad in the morning.
Monday afternoon I got a call from a friend who knew I was going to move through this blog. She had a friend looking for a house so she suggested he call me. He came over late Monday, looked at the house and made me an offer.
I had made an appointment with the real estate agent for Tuesday morning but didn't need to keep that appointment. Just sold him the house.
That same day got a counter offer on the house in Arlington. It was not going to work for us so we countered back. This went on through yesterday when we finally reached a deal. So in four days I sold a house and bought a house. Needless to say I have been "chasing my tail". Paperwork, phone calls, etc. It was made a lot worse because my scanner doesn't work and email was up and down on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was able to take documents to the bank and get them sent and went to the title company and got the help I needed on the sale of this house. It is pretty simple because he is paying cash.
Anyway, how cool is that?? I never would have believed it if anyone had told me that is the way it would happen. One of the good things is I was able to negotiate a date for moving that will give me several days after the closing on the house and will allow me to still take my trip. So I can take until the 10th of April to move. That takes some of the pressure off.
I have to go to Dallas on Monday for the inspection on the property. Hopefully it will turn out good. Hate to think about having to start over on that end.
Cowboy had dental work on Tuesday so I went over to be there at 8:30. He had a deep cleaning on one side of his mouth and a filling. On the 19th they will deep clean the other side and fill the other two teeth. He did pretty well but he bled a lot. Afterwards we went back to his room and he was rather worn out and started napping. Said he felt OK but I stayed for a couple of hours to be sure he wasn't bleeding or uncomfortable.
I told Cowboy about the move again and he said he is OK with it. I am not sure if he gets it but so be it.
I am planning to go see Cowboy tomorrow but the weather forecast is for it to be below freezing and maybe some sleet and snow. Will have to play it by ear. Will either not go or go later if it is bad in the morning.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Sunday, February 2
Someone reminded me it was "groundhog day". Had not even thought about it. Have had a whirlwind week. Lots of stuff going on.
I have big news. I have decided to sell the house and move to the Dallas area. There are a number of reasons. We have two daughters, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren in the Dallas area. I miss them and want to more engaged with their lives and activities. They also need more of "Grandma" if you will. I have been thinking about this for a long time but had to sort through a number of things, not the least of which are my attachments here where I am.
My long term goal is to also have a place in New York where I have additional children and grandchildren but must mostly stay here for Cowboy for now.
I have been in Dallas the past four days, just returned today. Looked at a lot of properties and found one that I really like. Made an offer, already heard they didn't accept so are in negotiations.
The plan is that I will live in a large house with my youngest daughter. She recently acquired a promotion that will have her mostly gone for the next two years visiting remote sites for her company. She will be gone 75% of the time and we will buy a house that is large enough that we each have our own space. We found one that has the master downstairs for me and a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs for her, company, visiting grandchildren, etc. We made an offer but it was rejected today so we are in negotiations.
Her children are grown so it would just be the two of us. There is even a pool for the kids to enjoy. Don't have a clue whether it will work out but if not I will continue searching.
Stopped by to see Cowboy on the way home. The length of time to visit him after I move will increase but I have cut my visits to twice weekly and it is working out fine. He doesn't really have much sense of what day it is or how long since I last visited. He was fine with it. I doubt if he remembers we had the conversation tomorrow. Had lunch with him and it was very good. Every now and then they really outdo themselves and today both the stuffing and the brownie were excellent.
I have notified some of my close associates already and am working on notifying those remaining. This is hard. I love these folks and the fun we have together but I know this is the right thing to do.
Lots of work and frustrations ahead I suspect but life is what it is. Will try to do better and post more often so you know what is going on.
I have big news. I have decided to sell the house and move to the Dallas area. There are a number of reasons. We have two daughters, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren in the Dallas area. I miss them and want to more engaged with their lives and activities. They also need more of "Grandma" if you will. I have been thinking about this for a long time but had to sort through a number of things, not the least of which are my attachments here where I am.
My long term goal is to also have a place in New York where I have additional children and grandchildren but must mostly stay here for Cowboy for now.
I have been in Dallas the past four days, just returned today. Looked at a lot of properties and found one that I really like. Made an offer, already heard they didn't accept so are in negotiations.
The plan is that I will live in a large house with my youngest daughter. She recently acquired a promotion that will have her mostly gone for the next two years visiting remote sites for her company. She will be gone 75% of the time and we will buy a house that is large enough that we each have our own space. We found one that has the master downstairs for me and a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs for her, company, visiting grandchildren, etc. We made an offer but it was rejected today so we are in negotiations.
Her children are grown so it would just be the two of us. There is even a pool for the kids to enjoy. Don't have a clue whether it will work out but if not I will continue searching.
Stopped by to see Cowboy on the way home. The length of time to visit him after I move will increase but I have cut my visits to twice weekly and it is working out fine. He doesn't really have much sense of what day it is or how long since I last visited. He was fine with it. I doubt if he remembers we had the conversation tomorrow. Had lunch with him and it was very good. Every now and then they really outdo themselves and today both the stuffing and the brownie were excellent.
I have notified some of my close associates already and am working on notifying those remaining. This is hard. I love these folks and the fun we have together but I know this is the right thing to do.
Lots of work and frustrations ahead I suspect but life is what it is. Will try to do better and post more often so you know what is going on.
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